Firestorm

The Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park went on a big run to the south Sunday night, but it did not reach the Going-to-the-Sun Road, fire information officer Diane Sine said.

The fire at 10 p.m. Sunday was mapped at 9,403 acres, though it burned intensely well after that. A predicted cold front blew in the from east almost to the minute it was predicted at 9 p.m. Flames could be seen rocketing at the crest of Snyder Ridge.

At press time Monday, the fire had grown to 13,053 acres. The fire has not dropped down the north side of Mount Brown, where it could threaten Glacier’s 500-plus year old cedar forests.

The west side of the Sun Road remains closed from Apgar to Logan Pass. Motorists can still get to Logan Pass via the east side at St. Mary. Traffic was heavy Monday on U.S. 2 as a result.

Most of Glacier remains open: Apgar Village remains open as does the Camas Road and Fish Creek Campgrounds.

All trails and campgrounds in the fire area are closed, including Avalanche and Sprague Creek campgrounds. The Harrison Lake Trail and backcountry campground are closed as well.

The entire lake McDonald Lodge-Kelly Camp area was evacuated. Fire engines were staged there and hose lines were down throughout the complex. The Red Cross closed a shelter at Canyon Elementary — no evacuees were using it.

According to a post on Glacier National Park’s Facebook page, various regional fire departments, including Evergreen, Bad Rock, West Valley and Coram-West Glacier assisted Monday in structural protection at Lake McDonald Lodge. The fire had not reached the lodge, but precautions are being taken.

No rain is expected at least through Thursday, with a chance of thunderstorms on Friday, the National Weather Service is predicting.

ANOTHER FIRE that had been skunking around on Adair Ridge in Glacier National Park blew up Sunday night after being stoked by the high east winds. The Adair Ridge Fire grew to an estimated 1,330 acres, blooming from 60 acres.

The fire is about four miles east of the North Fork Road inside Glacier National Park.

The Logging Lake campground and backcountry trail and campgrounds have closed and the Inside North Fork Road is closed from Polebridge south to the ranger station.

At least one party that was camping in the backcountry left as the fire was burning, while the fire was on the opposite side of Logging Lake, it was roaring and putting up flames as they left. Other campers in the backcountry came out Monday morning safely.

The Park Service is doing point protection on Logging Lake Cabin and the Logging Ranger Station. While Glacier notes it is a suppression fire, resources are very limited nationally.

The fire growth happened in the four- to six-hour Sunday window when the heavy east winds came in. This week, fire managers are expecting southwest winds to return, which will blow it back into itself.

On Monday, it was approaching a 2001 burn area, so fire managers expect lower fire growth.

Polebridge Mercantile owner Will Hammerquist said he closed the Merc early Sunday as a precaution and the Northern Lights Saloon was closed early as well. They have since reopened.

“We’re taking it day-by-day,” Hammerquist said.

Hammerquist said they could see the fire from the Merc.

The North Fork Road north of Trail Creek is closed to everyone by residents due to fire concerns from the Elder Ridge Fire. The Trail Creek Road is closed as well except for local residents.

The Elder Ridge fire is burning along the U.S.-Canada border.